Animated dancing toy



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. p. AMERISE Filed Sept; 27, 1938 y 1940. A. D. AMERISE 08,487

ANIMATED DANCING T OY Filed Sept. 27, 1938 5 sheets sheet s Patented July 16, 19 40 UNITED STATES malt? VAITENT orrics 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an animated dancing toy. The toy is generally of the character known as a tap dancing doll? and is adapted to be suspended from a yieldable supporting handle held in the hand of the operator over a vibratory supporting platform. The doll is made to dance by manipulation of the platform.

This generaltype of toy is, of course, old in the art, and the present invention relates to certain specific improvements which are designed to give greater diversification of subject matter and consequently greater amusement from a single toy.

In its more specific aspects, the invention contemplates the provision of an animated dancing toy which in normal operation will give the effect of a plurality of wholly dissimilar dancing characters or setsof dancing characters.

The dancing toy of the invention is so constructed and arranged that, in the normal course of its manipulation, it will be caused to pirouette and successively present tofview from any angle a different dancing character or set of dancing characters.

A further specific object and purpose of the invention is to provide in one of its forms a novel construction of a dancing team constructed as a unitary toy. It is a further feature of this form of the invention to provide the novel unitary dancing team with an intermediate depending leg which is so constructed and arranged as to simulate one of a set or pair of legsof each of the members of the dancing team.

It is a further object and purpose of the invention to provide a novel arm construction and mounting therefor in association with the dancing toy whereby the arms maybe made to give distinctive and grotesque representations.

It is a still further object of the invention in one of its forms to provide a dancing toy with an animated appendage simulating a tail which is simple in construction, easy in application anldto-wood contact to wood-to-wood contact and vice versa.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 5

In the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals are used to designate like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of the invention diagrammatically 19 illustrating the same in operative relation to its associated vibratory supporting base;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the toy as shown in Figure 1 with the handle removed;

Figure 3 is a detail view partly in section and it partly broken away illustrating the novel features of the construction;

Figure 4 is a detail of one form of foot and leg construction;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the foot as 20 shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a detail View of a foot and leg construction;

Figure 7 is a bottom plan View of the foot construction shown in Figure 6; .25

Figure 8 is a detail view'illustrating one position of the foot when tap dancing;

Figure 9 is a front elevational. view of a preferred form of the invention;

Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of the same '30 form as disclosed in Figure 9 and illustrating the variable effects procurable in this form of the invention;

Figure 11 is a front elevation of a second form of the invention with parts shown in section and 35 representative arm movements shown in dotted lines; v

Figure 12 is a rear elevation of the same form of the invention shown in Figure 11 illustrating the variable efiects'obtained in this form of the invention;

Figure 13 is a front elevation of a still further form of the invention; and

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the form of the invention shown in Figure l3 with parts in section.

Referring to Figure 1, the reference character i designates'a conventional vibratory platform used in the manipulation of the dancing toy. This platform and the manner of manipulation 5 thereof may be generally similar to that described in United States Patent,No. 8fl5,985. The dancing toy 2 is suspended from the flexible handle 3. {Ifl e handle 3 is .of novel construction and is preferably made of 'flexiblesteel wire looped upon modified form of function: First, it increases the flexibility at the distal end of the handle without the necessity of the employment of an unduly long handle member, whereby the toy proper is in fairly close relationship to the hand of the manipulator. Secondly, the loop 4 gives a second dimension to the handle 3 and facilitates angular manipulation thereof by the operator.

By reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the fastening element 8 is countersunk into the top of the toy and thus is normally entirely concealed from view. Additionally, this brings the point of suspension of the-toy closer to the center of gravity thereof. It will be understood that the connecting element 8 is in vertical alignment With the center of gravity of the toy. The threaded end 5 of the handle 3 provides an alternative method of attachment of the handle to the toy. The toy is provided with a threaded sleeve I0 (Figure 2), the threads of which are oppositely arranged at each side of the toy whereby the threaded end 5 of the handle 3 may be screwed into the sleeve ID from either side of the toy. In such .an arrangement, one of the dancing teams will face the operator, and the other opposed dancing team will face the audience, the arrangement being such that either side of the toy may face the audience.

By reference to Figures 3, 9, and 10, it will be observed that the toy of this form of the invention embraces the juxtaposed, integrally connected, head portions II and the like juxtarepresenting, for example, a dancing team may be artistically represented on one face of the toy and a wholly distinct and independent set of characters represented on the opposite face of the toy as shown, for example, in Figures 9 and 10.

Coming now to a description of the arms of the toy and the manner of mounting thereof, reference is again made to Figure 3 wherein a transverse opening I3 is illustrated as extending entirely through the body portions I2 of the toy. At opposite ends of the bore I3 are positioned the shoulder socket members I4. The arms I5 are recessed at I6 and each is provided with a transverse pin II adapted to cooperate with an elastic supporting loop I8. In assembling the arms I5 on the body portions I2, the elastic loop I8 is first threaded through the opening I3, one of the shoulder socket members I4 is threaded thereon, and the pin I! is then passed through the looped end of the elastic member I8. The looped member I8 is then drawn taut, and the opposite shoulder socket member I4 and arm I5 are attached in like manner. The elastic member I8 is preferably formed of so-called airplane ,rubber or the like so that it is highly durable.

The free or hand end of the arms is provided with a' suitable bore I9 in which is placed a weight 20 held in position by a cap member 2i. The arrangement is such that the arms may be .moved into and held in any desired position while the weighted ends of the arms aid in maintaining the proper balance of the toy when suspended from the attaching element 8, as hereinbefore described.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 3, 9, and 10, the arrangement of the feet and legs of the toy is particularly designed to improve the effectiveness of the toy in operation, while at the same time providing the requisite simulation of the dual sets of characters. It

will be observed that the two juxtaposed body portions I2 are provided with but three legs, 1. e., 22, 23, and 24. The body portions I2 of the toy :2 are provided with the recesses 25, 26, and 21 for receiving the upper ends of the legs 22, 23, and 24, respectively. A transverse bore 28 extends completely through the body portions I2 of the toy 2 and accommodates a common pivotal bearing rod 29 on which the legs 22, 23, and 24 are pivotally mounted. The legs 22, 23, and

'24 are provided with similar pivotal knee joints indicated at 30 (Figure 9). The lower leg sections 3!, 32, and 33 each carry a foot member 34.

In the form of the toy illustrated in all of the figures except l3 and 14, the feet are preferably so constructed that the legs enter at approximately the central point of the feet so that the feet will give the same general impression to the observer regardless of the angle from which observed. This is made apparent by reference to Figure 1. In Figures 4 and 5, there is disclosed a highly advantageous form of foot construction. In this form, the foot is provided with a tapered bore 35 adapted to receive a corresponding tapered end portion 36 of the leg. An important feature of the foot construction concerns the provisionand arrangement of the metal taps 31. These taps 31 are secured to the bottom of the foot member 3 3 at points spaced somewhat inwardly of the respective ends of the foot member.

The particular arrangement of the metal taps 31 with respect to the ends of the wooden foot members 34 enables the operator to obtain most unique and unusual sound eifects in the operation of the toy. It will be appreciated that when the toy is dancing in a substantially fiat-footed positiointhe contact will be between the metal tap 31 and the wooden vibratory platform I, giving a metal-to-wood contact and sound. By a very slight change in the position of the suspended toy relative to the platform, the toes or heels of the wooden feet may be caused to contact with the wooden platform, giving a woodto-wood contact and a corresponding sound effect. With a little practice in the manipulation of the toy, variations from the metal-to-wood to wood-to-Wood contactcan be obtained, and the resultant sound effects produced by the toy maybe varied at will. The metal-to-wood contact may be obtained in positions of the toy such as shown in Figure 1 and with the feet in the positions shown in Figures 4 and 6. The woodto-woodcontact is obtained when the feet are in the position shown in Figure 8 and likewise when the feet-are in the reverse position to that shown in Figure 8.

In Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a slightly modified form of construction. In this construction, the foot 34a is attached to the leg through the medium of a metal pin 38', and the metal taps in this form of the invention may be round tack-like members such as indicated at 39.

feature.

fine spring steel wire. tapered coil extends through an opening in the In the form of the invention more particularly illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the arrangement of the central leg 23 in alignment with the line of demarcation between the juxtaposedibody portions l2 of the toy 2 is a highly advantageous By proper coloring effects, it is possible to secure an effective simulation of a dancing team, each member of which is provided with its normal pair of legs. In other words, the central single leg is made to represent one leg of each of two pairs of legs. This is highly advantageous in a dancing toy of this kind because it enables the simulation of a dancing team without necessitating the employment of a cumbersome leg and foot construction which increases the difficulty of operation. Additionally the three-legand-foot arrangement facilitates the pirouetting of the toy. The effects produced by the pirouetting of the toy are most unusual and amusing since the observer first sees one set of characters and then immediately sees a second and distinctive pair of characters in the same dance.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Fig ures 11 and 12, an unusual and unique efiect is produced since with a single dancing doll two wholly distinct and dissimilar characters are displayed in one and the same dance. In Figure ll. a female character is displayed on one face of the toy, and in Figure 12 a male character is displayed on the opposite face of the same toy. In this construction the toy is provided with a single head Ha, and distinct facial characteristics are displayed on opposite faces thereof.

, The body portions l2a are decorated on opposite faces to simulate appropriate female and male costume effects for the two dancing characters. In this form of the invention, the toy is also swivelly suspended from the flexible supporting handle 3, the swivel connection 1 being connected to the attaching element 8a.

The arm structure shown in Figures 11 and 12 is somewhat different from that shown in the previously described modification. The upper arm is shown at 40 and is assembled in position on the toy in the same manner as the arms 55 of Figure 2. Pivotally connected to the upper arms 40 at 4| are the enlarged lower arms 42 which are hollowed out at 43 to receive the weights 44 held in position by the cap members 45. This jointed arm construction, provided as it is with the enlarged lower weighted sections, produces greater flexibility and more comic gesticulations on the part of the toy than if obtained through the more, formal arm structure disclosed in Figures 9 and 10.

The legs 43 and 4 andthe attached feet 58 are in all respects similar to the legs 22 and 2 and their attached feet 34 described above. It is to be understood that the same arrangement of the metal taps to the wooden feet is utilized on the feet 48 as described in connection with the feet 34-.

' This form of the toy is likewise most amusing since through the manipulation of a single doll, it is possible to give the dual effect of two distinctive dancing characters which, because of pirouetting of the doll, are successively brought into view from any angle of observation.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 13 and 14, the nature of the characters simulated on the toy may be such as to require possession thereby of a tail. The toy of this modification is otherwise constructed similarly to that of Figures 11 and 12. There is disclosed at 49 a tail structure formed of a tapered coil of The butt end 53 of this metal tack member 5| and is adapted to be clamped into position against the rear face of the toy thereby.

The toyiof Figures .13 and .14 is likewise provided with an attaching element 8b normally concealed from view-and adapted-for suspending the :toy from thehandle 3il3h1'0llgh the medium of the swivel connection 1. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, the toy is also provided with the threaded sleeves for cooperation with the threaded end of the handle 3.

When the toy of Figures 13 and 14 is caused to dance, it will, when suspended from the handle 3 by means of the swivel I, be caused to pirouette and to present first a front view, such for example as depicted in Figure 13, and then a rear view in which the rapid vibration of the tail will be apparent. In this way a most amusing performance can be given. I

The dual effect procurable through the employment of the invention in any of its several forms is likewise particularly desirable when the toy is attached to the threaded end 5 of the handle 3 since in all instances there will be a clearly depicted animated representation facing the operator and also one facing the audience. The preferred operation, however, is the one in which the toy is suspended from the handle 3 by means or the swivel 1 so as to provide for the pirouetting of the toy and the successive presentation to view of wholly dissimilar dancing characters.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An animated dancing toy comprising juxtaposed rigidly connected body portions representing a plurality of characters, and a plurality of legs pivotally suspended from said body portions, one of said legs depending from a point substantially in alignment with the line of demarcation between said juxtaposed body portions, said leg carrying a single foot, and the said leg and foot being constructed and arranged to simulate a pair of legs, each of which belongs to a different character.

2. An animated dancing toy comprising juxtaposed rigidly connected body portions representing a plurality of characters, a plurality of legs? pivotally suspended from said body portions, one of said legs depending from a point substantially in alignment with the line of demarcation between said juxtaposed body portions, said leg carrying a single foot, and the said leg and foot being constructed and arranged to simulate a pair of legs, each of which belongs to a different character, a universally mounted arm member carried at each side of the toy, and a weight disposed in the free end of each arm member.

3. An animated dancing toy adapted to tap dance upon manipulation of a vibratory support comprising a plurality of juxtaposed, integrally connected, body simulating portions, a weighted arm universally connected to each side edge of the toy, a plurality of depending leg members pivotally connected to said toy, each carrying at its lower extremity a wooden foot provided with metal taps spaced from each end thereof, each foot member being connected to its associated leg member at a point substantially centrally of the length of the foot member whereby to give the same appearance from either side of the toy, distinct sets of characters simulated on opposite sides of the toy, one of saidllegs and its associated foot member being disposed in substantial alignment with the line of demarcation between two of said juxtaposed body portions and constructed and arranged to simulate a pair of legs, one for each of said two juxtaposed body portions, means at the top of the toy disposed in the line of the center of gravity thereof for swivelly connecting said toy to a support, and a separate flexible supporting member through the medium of which the toy is adapted to be supported by an operator in proper relation to the vibratory support whereby, upon manipulation of the vibratory support, the toy will tap dance thereon and pirouette to successively present to view from any angle a plurality of sets of simulated dancing characters.

ANTHONY DANIEL AMERISE. 

